How would you rate your caprice?

[J-Ri]

I'm looking at buying a full size RWD American made car in the next several months. I have always bought Chevys, and I assume I will in the future. I've only driven a few Caprices, but I do like them. Would you owners reccomend a Caprice?

[91Caprice9c1]

I love my '96 police package (9c1) caprice. I'd definitely recommend the car to anyone looking for a full-sized american car with RWD. They stopped making them in 96 unfortunately so our cars are advancing in age and mileage. The 91-93 cars had two engine options LO3 (305ci) and LO5 (350ci). Similarly the 94-96 cars had two engine options L99 (4.3) and LT1 (5.7). I had a 91 LO5 and now own a 96 LT1 and the difference is pretty spectacular.

-MechanicMatt

[PeteA216]

I've got an '84 Caprice Classic. It was my first car, and I love it just as much today as I did back then. I've also owned an '85 Wagon (parts) and another '85 Caprice sedan. You just can't beat a Caprice. The way the ride, the way they drive, the interior space, the simplicity, etc. They can be anything you want them to be, it's just a matter of knowing which one to buy or what to do to modify one. A Caprice can be a nice luxury cruiser with a pillow-ey soft, gentle ride, OR it can be a tough, fairly manuverable, quick muscle-type car. Either way, I always have and probably always will love these cars.

PS: 91Caprice9c1, why do you own so many Geo Metros?

['97ventureowner]

Another possibility to look into is a Buick Roadmaster (1991 to 1996), which is a sister to the Caprice/ImpalaSS. They also came with the LT1 engine and other goodies, and can be had for a reasonable price currently.

[SEVILLEMAN601]

I reccomend 9c1 caprices. I have had 2 and just bought another this summer. I dont reccomend anything older than a 94 if you get a 9c1 caprice. The LT1s are the best to me. One of the caprices that I used to own currently has over 300K miles. you cant get that type of mileage from most cars. = )

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by SEVILLEMAN601

I reccomend 9c1 caprices. ... I dont reccomend anything older than a 94 if you get a 9c1 caprice.

That is your opinion and you have a right to it - but don't tell someone else to not get older than '94 just because you like LT1s. My '88 does just fine and it will not lose a race to your LT1.

[SEVILLEMAN601]

lol, Im not saying it like that silicon. I would love to have a 88 9c1 and I bet you would dust me considering that you know way more about cars than me!!

Let me rephrase that. If you want a 91-96 bubble body caprice with power, don't get a 91-93, you might as well get 94-96. This is just my opinion though. By looking online, everyone says that the 91-93s are nothing compared to 94-96s. Also, I know from experience, that a 91-93 has no chance of keeping up with a 94-96 unless you tinker with a few things. My friend has a 93 (my old 9c1) with over 300k miles but the 94-96 are definitely better to me. I dusted his 93 with my 95 with ease and neither of us have modified anything. I think all caprices are good cars whether they are 9C1 or not. Although, I am looking for a 9C1 box chevy, LS1 camaro, or 9c1 impala.

Also, silicone, do you know anywhere around MS that I can buy a 9C1 box chevy like yours?

[silicon212]

As I am in Arizona, I can't help you with that last part.

I personally prefer the look of the '95-'96 with the quarter window treatment, but that's just me. I like the boxy's better, however. The nice thing about all of them is that parts are mostly interchangeable. The entire suspension on my car, including the rear axle, came off of a '94 9C1 - so the car has rear disk brakes. Everything was bolt-in.

[91Caprice9c1]

venturepwner's right - the roadmaster's are pretty cool too, same powertrain options. preference really.

Pete - I don't own them, they are the property of the small company I work for. But I make a living keeping all of them alive and healthy - I frequent the metro forum next door.

-MechanicMatt

P.S. - Linking to an outside forum is a no-no! Don't do it.

[mike561]

I would definetly say Caprices are great cars and great looking too, though being as this is the second 80s model i've owned, both have had the same rust issue in the same spot, and ive seen it on others too, which is very common under the long metal panel near the back glass (not on the "bubble body" 90s caprices though of course) i too like the look of the rounded quarter windows on the 95 and 96 models. mechanical-wise though, i dont think they will ever die if taken care of, i've always liked the real 94-96 impala ss, i would still prefer a chevy over a ford but the 2003-04 mercury marauders are pretty nice too.

[SEVILLEMAN601]

Originally Posted by mike561

I would definetly say Caprices are great cars and great looking too, though being as this is the second 80s model i've owned, both have had the same rust issue in the same spot, and ive seen it on others too, which is very common under the long metal panel near the back glass (not on the "bubble body" 90s caprices though of course) i too like the look of the rounded quarter windows on the 95 and 96 models. mechanical-wise though, i dont think they will ever die if taken care of, i've always liked the real 94-96 impala ss, i would still prefer a chevy over a ford but the 2003-04 mercury marauders are pretty nice too.

I like the marauders myself... If I were to buy a ford/mercury, that would be my first choice

[mike561]

yeah they remind me alot of an impala ss too

[silicon212]

The Marauder's pretty decent - it's everything that the Crown Vic Police Interceptor SHOULD have been.

In the end though, it's still a Blue Oval and I'd rather have a Bowtie.

[BigLou101]

tell me if this sounds too crazy/ outlandish but im currently driving a 91 Lo5 police and thinkin about turning it to full out dragster.
383 bore
supercharger
3 speed manual
and 12 bolt rear
and everything included with a high performance engine
new rods alum. heads and so on.
should i go for it or no?

[silicon212]

It's kinda big/heavy for drag racing, but go for it! Stuff some CID under the hood and have a blast.